Medium format is the pinnacle of image quality. You can’t beat the physics of medium format. The price is also hard to beat, but in a bad way. Medium format is notoriously expensive. In this article, we will look at a few cameras that get me, as a medium format user, excited.
When I first picked up a medium format camera, I didn’t quite know how great it would be. It’s a bit like an addiction. Once you try it, you can’t stop. My trusty Phase One has already racked up a solid 100,000+ actuations since I first got it. The image quality and the dynamic range—oh, I can go on for ages about how great it is. It’s a bit like trying your first Michelin-star dinner or finding a wine you enjoy. Everything else is just not the same. It’s somehow different—not in a good way.
That said, nothing is perfect. Although I am content with my current camera, there are still a few things that I would like to improve, which is why I, every now and then, look at other cameras in search of a better solution. Since these cameras can get pricey, buying used through MPB is a good option to keep in mind. Even if a specific camera is out of stock at any given time, you can set up alerts through the site when one or more are available again. On the off chance you're looking to sell, it's also a great place to easily and safely sell your camera.
Phase One IQ4 150
For those who want the ultimate, this is it and will be for some time. Building on the Phase One XF system, this digital back is the greatest, best—everything it is. It is one of the most powerful camera systems available. With 15 stops of dynamic range, you will never miss detail, and with 16-bit color, you will have images with ultimate accuracy and precision. Of course, this is the largest sensor available on the consumer market, being almost a true 645 medium format sensor. Frankly, if you want everything in one, the IQ4 150 is the only way. A bonus is if you already own a Phase One XF system, as you will only need to buy the back. Be prepared to spend quite a bit on it, though.
Hasselblad X2D 100C
This camera is a step ahead and is aimed at both in-studio and out-of-studio use. As such, alongside the incredible 100 MP sensor and 1 TB of internal storage, this camera also features 5-axis internal stabilization. This allows you to get sharp images in low-light conditions without a tripod. If you are a landscape shooter, this is a game-changer. Before, this feature was available only in full frame and crop-sensor cameras. Now you are able to get this in medium format quality. Of course, this camera is also quite small, being mirrorless.
When compared to the Phase One, this is a really good choice for those photographers who shoot mostly outside of a studio but demand the quality of medium format. This camera is also, so far, one of the very few cameras on the market to come with built-in storage. Seems like a no-brainer, but Hasselblad was first to the party. No longer do you need to bring a memory card, which saves both money and stress.
Fujifilm GFX 100 II
This is a game-changer in the medium format world and a huge leap forward in what is possible for medium format shooters. The GFX 100 II naturally offers 16-bit color (the camera captures 14-bit, but image processing extends it to 16-bit) alongside incredible dynamic range. This is all packed into a small mirrorless package, meaning your setup will be incredibly light and portable. Sure, I love the Phase One, but it is a heavy camera. I do get tired of it—only a little bit.
The GFX 100 II is also made for high-speed photography. Yes, you read that right—a medium format camera made for high speed. It boasts 8 fps, making it among the fastest medium format cameras on the market, second to the Hasselblad, which can shoot 14. This is great news for those of us who need great image quality but won’t settle for the measly 1 fps that classic medium format cameras shoot.
The focus is also stunning on the Fujifilm GFX 100 II. While classic medium format cameras may have one center focusing point, the GFX 100 II takes full advantage of modern technology and, in fact, uses AI to detect humans, animals, birds, and other subjects.
Canon 5Ds
A dinosaur by today’s measures, this camera still delivers incredible image quality, all at a fairly low price. If all you care about is image quality and you don’t want to spend on a medium format camera, the Canon 5Ds might be for you. I still hold on to my 5Ds for various reasons—mainly as a backup and behind-the-scenes camera, though.
Still, if you are on a tight budget and want a high-resolution camera with great color science, go for this one. It is the budget full frame resolution king. Great for studio and location work, this camera might not be as light as its mirrorless counterparts, but it is still a great machine almost 10 years after its release. Compatible with EF lenses, you will always have a wide variety of lenses to choose from. They are also getting very inexpensive with the rise of the RF mount.
Canon EOS R5 Mark II
Speaking of the RF mount, this camera is the current king. It has a high-resolution sensor that medium format users will appreciate, but also a lot more that you might not find in medium format cameras today. Of course, it’s hard to compare a Phase One IQ4 150 back with a Canon R5 Mark II—they are not counterparts at all. Instead, they serve different markets and different photographers.
The R5 Mark II will still deliver great detail, but it will also do a lot more. It shoots bursts of up to 30 fps with the electronic shutter, meaning you won’t miss a moment. Additionally, it has up to 8.5 stops of IBIS, making it great for low-light shooting. The autofocus is second to none. While the Phase One has a single focusing point, the Canon R5 Mark II has dual pixel autofocus with AI features and eye control. This can mean the difference between a sharp and blurry image. It won’t beat medium format in a pure sensor comparison, but it will be night and day in every other regard.
Closing Thoughts
Ultimately, I am holding on to my Phase One IQ3 back and XF body. This camera system is perfect for the work I do, which is largely in a controlled environment where variables such as sudden movement or the so-called decisive moment are simply eliminated. I don’t need to worry about missing a shot because the action can usually be done again. I do, at the end of the day, worry about image quality and what color I can push. Have I delivered images out of focus? Absolutely—just yesterday, in fact. The time of writing is almost irrelevant here because I deliver somewhat out-of-focus images regularly.
Naturally, medium format cameras are expensive toys. If I were to buy my Phase One brand new, I would be spending tens of thousands. However, getting cameras second-hand saves you a lot of money, and you don’t really miss out on anything besides having more liquid cash. The best way to buy such gear is MPB—it is reliable and easy to trade in and purchase cameras through them, as they take the guesswork out of the equation. You get what you see, and you pay a fair price for it that is not higher—sometimes lower—than the used price on websites such as eBay.
